About the Organization
A longstanding national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing gender equality and protecting the legal, economic, and personal rights of women and girls seeks a strategic, mission-driven President and Chief Executive Officer. Through litigation, policy advocacy, education, and public engagement, the organization works to advance gender equality and strengthen legal protections for women and girls. Its work spans several interconnected areas, including:
- Gender-based violence
- Equal educational opportunities
- Fairness and equity in the courts
- Reproductive justice
- Workplace equality and economic justice
The organization has a long history of pursuing systemic change through impact litigation, legislative and policy initiatives, and educational programs designed to inform individuals of their rights and strengthen protections under the law.
The Opportunity
This is a pivotal moment for gender justice and an opportunity for a visionary leader to help shape the future of legal protections and equal opportunity in the United States. Persistent discrimination, economic insecurity, and systemic inequities continue to undermine the wellbeing of women and their families, while longstanding legal protections and hard-won progress face growing threats. With the rights of women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people increasingly contested, the organization plays a critical role in defending fundamental rights and advancing lasting legal, policy, and structural reforms. Its work spans impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education, addressing issues including workplace discrimination and pay equity, educational opportunity, reproductive justice, economic security, gender-based violence, and equal protection under the law.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO will set the organization's strategic direction and lead its response to an evolving legal and political landscape. This is an opportunity for a principled, strategic, and entrepreneurial leader to strengthen the organization's impact, cultivate key relationships with funders and partners, mobilize resources, and ensure a strong operational foundation. The successful candidate will bring the conviction to defend essential protections, the judgment to navigate complex challenges, and the ability to inspire staff and the Board while advancing a vision for a more equitable future.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Direction
- Partner with the Board of Directors to establish and advance the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term goals.
- Provide overall leadership, direction, and vision for the organization, ensuring alignment across programs, operations, finances, and fundraising.
- Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, measurable goals, and sustainable organizational growth.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the organization's impact, develop new initiatives, and respond to emerging legal, policy, and social challenges.
Fundraising and External Relations
- Lead fundraising strategy and implementation in partnership with the Board and staff, cultivating relationships with institutional funders, individual donors, and other philanthropic partner
- Serve as a principal spokesperson and external representative of the organization.
- Build and maintain relationships with funders, policymakers, legal professionals, community partners, media, and other key constituencies.
- Represent the organization in public forums, speaking engagements, and media opportunities.
- Strengthen the organization's visibility, reputation, and influence in advancing its mission.
Board Partnership and Governance
- Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to establish strategic direction, assess organizational performance, and ensure mission alignment.
- Maintain open, transparent, and productive communication with the Board and its leadership.
- Support effective governance, sound decision-making, and appropriate oversight of organizational strategy, finances, and operation.
- Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, fiduciary responsibility, and accountability.
Financial and Operational Management
- Oversee the organization's financial health, administrative functions, and day-to-day operations.
- Develop and manage budgets, allocate resources effectively, and ensure sound fiscal stewardship.
- Establish organizational goals and systems that support operational effectiveness, accountability, and sustainable growt
- Manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
- Ensure appropriate financial controls, administrative practices, and organizational policies are in place.
Program Leadership and Impact
- Oversee the organization's programs and activities, including litigation, policy advocacy, training and technical assistance, and community-facing initiatives.
- Ensure coordination across programmatic, communications, development, finance, and government relations functions.
- Supervise and support senior program leaders, establish clear priorities, and foster collaboration across teams.
- Guide the development and implementation of new programs, strategies, and activities that advance organizational objectives.
- Establish systems for monitoring program performance, evaluating outcomes, and reporting on progress toward strategic goals.
- Maintain high standards of program quality, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of the communities and constituencies served.
People Leadership and Organizational Culture
- Provide effective leadership, management, and support to staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
- Build and sustain a culture grounded in open communication, mutual respect, transparency, and shared commitment to the mission.
- Work closely with the Board and staff to establish clear expectations, address organizational challenges, and support a productive working environment.
- Maintain constructive relationships with employees and, where applicable, work with counsel on labor and collective bargaining matter
- Ensure the organization has the leadership, talent, and infrastructure necessary to achieve its goals.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will bring a compelling combination of mission commitment, strategic leadership, organizational management, and external relationship-building skills. They will be able to lead a complex nonprofit organization, navigate challenging legal and policy environments, and inspire confidence among staff, Board members, funders, and external partners. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
- Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, civil rights, and advancing the legal, economic, and personal security of women and girls. comprehensive understanding of – the feminist legal agenda.
- A law degree (LLB or JD) is preferred. Candidates without a law degree may be considered if they bring substantial, relevant leadership experience in public policy, advocacy, or a related fiel
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing fundraising strategies and cultivating relationships with institutional funders, foundations, individual donors, and other philanthropic partners. Familiarity with federal/state tax-exempt rules, charitable solicitation laws, and reporting obligation.
- Demonstrated success leading and managing a complex organization, including overseeing senior leaders, programs, and cross-functional teams. Ability to build,motivate, and retain talented teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growt
- Strong operational, administrative, and financial management skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day organizational needs.
- Ability to navigate politically sensitive issues and represent the organization with credibility, clarity, and sound judgment.
- Ability to understand emerging issues quickly, synthesize complex information, and communicate a compelling vision to diverse audience
- Experience partnering effectively with a Board of Directors on strategy, governance, and organizational performance.
- Experience navigating organizational change, competing priorities, and complex stakeholder relationships.
- A leadership style grounded in sound judgment, clear communication, transparency, and respect.
- Sound judgment in managing sensitive legal, reputational, and public relations matters.
- Ability to serve as a credible, persuasive, and engaging spokesperson for the organization.
- Experience building relationships across diverse constituencies, including funders, policymakers, legal professionals, community partners, and the media.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $195,000-$210,000 with a generous benefits package.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Trisha Sutrisno and Shelby Woods. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential. DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
The organization is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or sexual orientation. About DSG | Koya DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to missiondriven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams. Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.